Drill pipe racking chute



April 6, 1954 .1. N. GREGORY DRILL PIPE RACKING CHUTE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 23, 1948' lnvenror: James Nfire orq Bag QM April 6, 1954 J. N. GREGORY 2,674,379

DRILL PIPE RACKING CHUTE Filed March 23, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fiq. 'l

\nveni'or James N. Cireqbrl Es His AH'orn j =m 'l'itrsin April 6, 1954 J. N. GREGQRY DRILL PIPE RACKING CHUTE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 S m mm b T A his mu mm Filed March 23, 1948 April 6, 1954 .1. N. GREGORY DRILL PIPE RACKING CHUTE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 23, 1948 Fiq. G

lnvernor: James N. fire orq El-{HiS A+forneL J. N. GREGORY DRILL PIPE RACKING CHUTE April 6, 1954 5 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed March 25, 1948 lll lll IllnrillF-rl Fig.1

\nven+or= James N. Gre orq bq His Afl'orneL] Patented Apr. 6, 1954 OFFICE DRILL PIPE BACKING CHUTE Application March 23, 1948, Serial No. 16,482

, 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to well equipment and pertains more particularly to a method and apparatus for facilitating the racking of sections or stands of drill pipe.

During the drilling of oil wells by the rotary method, it is necessary to withdraw, at relatively frequent intervals, the drill pipe from the borehole for various reasons, e. g. to change drill bits. When removing the drill string or pipe from the borehole, the drill string is hoisted by the drawworks from the borehole to a predetermined height within the derrick. The hoisting is then stopped, slips are inserted into the opening in the rotary table around the drill pipe by the drilling crew, and the pipe or pipe stand above the slips is uncoupled from the drill string. While still depending from the elevators and traveling block, this uncoupled section or stand of drill pipe is swung by members of the drilling crew to one side of the derrick, where it is lowered until the lower end of the pipe stand rests on the operating platform or derrick floor. The upper end of the pipe section is then secured to the upper part of the derrick, or to the finger board, the section then being in its racked position, i. e. to one side of the path of the traveling blocks and elevators, thus giving the necessary clearance for the removal of the next section or stand of drill pipe. Except for the hoisting of the drill pipe, the racking operation is generally a manual operation requiring the services of two or more members of the drilling crew, and the stands of pipe are racked normally on the operating floor within the derrick so as to be available for running in the well again at a later time.

' One of the primary disadvantages of racking pipe on the operating floor of a well derrick in the conventional manner is that the derrick substructure, supporting the operating floor, must be constructed with adequate strength to support the Weight of the entire drill string when racked, said drill string usually consisting of several thousand feet of pipe. This method requires manual effort to force the lower end of a stand of pipe through a horizontal distance of several feet from its freely hanging position over the well bore to its racked position at one side of the derrick. Considerable skill is required to swing the stand pipe through its proper. arc to permit correct placement of the pipe when racked, and physical hazard is involved when picking up or lowering a stand into its racked position, since inaccurate placement, slippery footing, or faulty elevators maycause the stand of pipe to be, dropped causing injury. There is also a hazard of collision between the traveling blocks and the crown blocks since the clearance between these blocks is usually very limited when a stand of drill pipe has been raised to its racking height.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for racking drill pipe in a predetermined position at a level below or independent of the derrick floor, and preferably on the ground, thereby avoiding excessive loads on said floor and providing more space in the derrick for racking pipe.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pipe racking apparatus adapted to be mounted adjacent an opening'in the fioor of a derrick for automatically lowering and positioning stands of pipe within said floor opening.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe racking apparatus for guiding and handling the lower end of a pipe stand being racked whereby the occupational hazards to the drilling crew are eliminated or greatly minimized.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken with reference to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pipe racking chute positioned in a pipe racking bay in the derrick floor.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the pipe racking chute having a motor and gear system for one of its actuating means.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the pipe racking chute having a combination mechanical and hydraulic system for its actuating means.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the pipe racking chute utilizing power screws for its actuating means.

Figure 5 is a detail view of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom. view along the line 66 in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a pipe racking chute having an actuating means comprising winch and cable means.

Briefly, the pipe racking chute. oi the present invention comprises a movable, trough-like sloping chute elementmounted adjacent an opening in. the floor of a well derrick for racking or positioning pipe stands racked through said floor opening, a pivot member hinged to one end of said chute, a pivot. bearing'mounted on the sub structure of the derrick below the floor level thereof so that the pivoted end of the chute is substantially at floor level, means for turning the pivot in its bearing whereby the attached chute is moved in a horizontal plane, and means cooperating with the other end of the chute for moving it in a vertical plane, whereby the end of a pipe stand placed in said chute is guided by said chute to any desired position within a suitable racking space which may preferably be formed by an opening in the derrick floor.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, a typical derrick substructure I3 is shown in position over a well being drilled, having a rotary table I4 positioned in the operating floor I5 of said substructure. A trough-shaped pipe racking chute I6 is shown with its pivoted end I'I' mounted in the substructure adjacent the rotary table, at substantially floor level, in a pipe racking well or space I8, while the other end I9 of the chute I6 extends into said racking space I8 in a downwardly sloping manner, being thus at a substantiall lower level than the pivoted end H to facilitate the sliding of a pipe section 4I down said chute.

The cross-section of the chute I6 may be of any arcuate, semi-circular, or any other desirable concave shape suitable for receiving and guiding therein and therealong the lower end of a pipe member being disconnected from a string.

The pipe racking well or space I3 is arranged alongside the derrick, or is formed in a section of the operating floor I5 adjacent the rotary table I4, but preferably at the outer edge of said floor. As shown in Figure 1, the pipe racking well I8 is formed between two pairs of horizontal structural members 23 and 2I, 22 and 23 of the substructure Ill. Bearings 26 and 21, rotatably mounting a pivot pin or member 23 therein, may be fixedly attached by suitable means, as by welding, bolting, etc., to the structural members 22 and 24. Vertical movement of the pivot member 28 in a downward direction may be limited by a collar 29 secured to or integrally formed on said pivot 28, said collar 29 contacting said hearing 26. The upper end of the pivot member 28 has a vertical slot and a hole horizontally drilled at right angles to the slot. The slot receives a hinge member 30 having a hole drilled therethrough and fixedly attached to the lower side of one end of the chute IS. The hinge member 30 of the chute I6 and the pivot member 28 are secured in vertical hinged relation by a pin 3| which passes horizontally through the drilled holes of said members 28 and 30. Thus the racking chute I6 is mounted for movement in a vertical plane by hinge pin 3| and in a horizontal plane by pivot member 28, said hinge and pivot members forming in combination a universal joint.

Movement of the chute I6 may be accomplished by any suitable gear or lever means actuated by electrical, mechanical or hydraulic power means. One possible embodiment is shown in Figure 1 wherein hydraulic means are used to actuate the chute, said hydraulic means comprising first and second hydraulic cylinder 32 and 33 for moving the chute I6 in horizontal and vertical planes respectively. An arm 48 extending from one end of the first hydraulic cylinder 32 is affixed by means of a collar 34 to a vertical rod 35 attached to the substructure, whereby the cylinder 32 may be rotated in a horizontal plane. A rod 36 extending from the other end of the hydraulic cylinder 32 is fixedly attached to and actuated by a piston (not shown) within said cylinder 32. The other end of said rod 36 is pivotally connected to a lever arm or bar 3'! rigidly attached to the pivot pin 28, which in turn is hinged to the chute I6 as previously described. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to either side of the piston within the hydraulic cylinder 32 through hoses 38.

Similar hydraulic means are employed to move the chute I6 in a vertical plane. As shown in Figure 1, the second hydraulic cylinder 33 is mounted preferably at a lower level than cylinder 32 so as to supply the pressure and leverage necessary to support the chute I6 and to maintain it in position when the end of a heavy pipe stand M is resting on or sliding in said chute I6. At the same time, the second hydraulic cylinder 32 is located directly below or close to the pivot member 28 whereby the chute I6 and the cylinder 32 pivot about the same vertical axis or substantially adjacent axes. Thus, the second cylinder 33 or a rod I I extending therefrom may be mounted by any suitable means, such as a hinge 42, etc., to an extending arm i3! whereby said cylinder 33 may be moved around said joint 42 in any vertical plane. Connected to the piston (not shown) within the cylinder 33 and extending from its other end is a piston rod 43 connected, as by a hinge 44, to the lower end I9 of the chute I6. Hydraulic control fluid is supplied to either side of the piston within the hydraulic cylinder 33 through hoses 45 and 46 extending from the control box 40, said box being situated at any desired location on or near the drilling rig.

When removing drill pipe from the borehole and racking sections of said pipe by the method of the present invention, elevators are removably connected to the top of the pipe string above the rotary table. A hoist drum and cable raise a traveling block, attached elevators and depending pipe string to a predetermined height. Slips are inserted in the rotary table around the drill string to anchor it temporarily so that one or more sections of pipe may be uncoupled from the drill string while the upper end of the pipe string is still supported by the elevators. This section of pipe depending from the elevators is then lowered to substantially floor level while its lower end is swung and lowered into the pivoted end of the pipe racking chute. Further lowering of the pipe section allows it to be guided by the chute and slid into its racking position at a level below the operating floor or rotary table, preferably the ground. Continued lowering of the pipe section sets the lower end thereof in its racked position while the upper end may be racked manually or by mechanical means to any desired position against the derrick, or a finger board or other racking means attached thereto. After the lower end of the pipe section has been set in posltion, and While the upper end is being moved to its racking position, the elevators may be disconnected from said upper end.

The positioning of the chute I6 is accomplished by the operation of the hydraulic cylinders through control box 40 before the pipe stand 4i enters the chute or at any time before it is set down on the ground or a pipe platform (not shown). After one stand of pipe 4: has been racked, the chute may be positioned for the next stand. The pivoted end I! of the chute I6 is located preferably close to the rotary table so as to reduce the distance that the lower end of the pipe stand must be swung manually. Pipe hanac'vdaredling hazardsarereduced by useof-thechute of;

the present invention; and the danger" of lowering a stand" of pipeon aman's foot iseliminated as each stand is lowered into the chute. one" end of the chute being ona pivot, there is no: indecision on the part of the operator as to where to place the-end ofthepipe stand, since every stand enters the chute atthe same point. When using the present racking chute, the floor substructure need not have theusualheavy-reinforced construction to supportthe pipe stands, as said stands are supported on the ground. With thepipe racked at a level, below the operating fioor ofthe rig; morespace is made availablefor rack-mgoperations in the upper part of the derrick, and there is, for thesamereason, more distance between the traveling block and the crown block when catching the stands of pipe during the running in operation, thus making it possible to catch; stands at higher rates of speed without the hazard of running intothe crown. When the elevators only partially engage, and momentarily lift a pipe stand; there is no hazard of the lower end of the falling pipe injurying anyone. Althoughthe pipe rackingchute is shown in connectionwitha permanent type derrick on a permanent type substructure, it may obviously be also employed when a portable derrick and/or substructure are used; The chute may also be used in combination with a truckmounted rotary-tableand derrick or mast whereby pipe standsarelowered to and racked on the ground, the term derrick being used herein to include all types of derricks and masts, either permanent or portable, that are used to remove pipe, casing, tubing or rods from a well.

As shown in Figure 2, another embodiment of the present invention may comprise; av guide chute l6 hinged to a pivot member 23 having both electric and hydraulic prime mover means. Movement ofthe chute I6 in a, vertical plane is attained. by the hydraulic means comprising a. hydraulic, cylinder I33 secured by means of a hinge: 4'!- to the lower end of the pivot member 28. for rotation therewith, a piston (not. shown) mounted within said cylinder I33 and having a rod 43 connected thereto, which rod has its extending end pivoted or hinged on said chute l6, and hoses 45 and 46 for supplying fluid pressure to said hydraulic cylinder [33. Mounted on the pivot member 28 is a worm wheel 48 which meshes with a worm 49 attached to the shaft of a reversible hydraulic or electric motor 58 which, when started, rotates the pivot member 28 and attached chute I6 in a horizontal plane.

Another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3, may comprise the guide chute I 6 secured by means of a hinge member 52 to a pivot member 53, said chute having both mechanical and hydraulic prime mover means. The hydraulic means may be in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 54, secured to pivot member 53, said cylinder having a piston member (not shown) slidably mounted therein and fluid pressure conduit 56 leading thereto for actuating said piston. The pivot member 53 is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner, as in bearings 51 and 58 which may be fixedly secured to structural members 59. Movement of the chute I6 in a horizontal plane is attained by a crank 68, gear 6| and gear 82 secured to the pivot member 53. The crank 68 may be hand or power operated. A member 83 is slidably mounted in tubular lower part of the pivot With member-53*, said member 63 being secured toan extending arm 64 of the hydraulic piston member by a pin 91.

wall of said pivot member 53 and is slidable within said slot; A lever arm 65 is attached at one end to the hinge 66 on the member 63, and

at the other end toa slidable hinge 61- on the edges 282 is such that any vertical movement of screw 85.

pin 66' causes a corresponding movement of the chute I6 in a vertical plane. During this operation the lever arm 65 is not efiective and the hinge pin 5| slides in the slots 55 of the hinge 61- at the lower end of the chute Hi.

The present chute positioning or actuating means may likewise have the form shown diagrammatically in Figure 4; Power screws 84 and 85 are rotatably mounted in bearings 61 and 88 on structuralmemberslO and H adjacent the pipe'racking well in the derrick substructure. A reversible motor 86 rotates the power screw 84 in bearing 8'! and, throughgear boxes 89 and 88* and shaft 9|, rotates alsothe other power mounted on the power screws 84 and 85. Carried between these blocks is a power screw 18. The shaft 83 of a reversible motor 8| is connected to and drives power screw 18, which in turn actuates amovable block 11 mounted thereon. The block 11 has an threaded horizontal bore therethrough and is designed for movement along the power screw 19; The upper end of a pipe racking chute 13 may be affixed to a universal joint, as previously described, said universal joint comprising hinge means 14, pivot means 15, and bearing means '18 secured to a structural member 12. The middle or lower end of the chute may be slidably and rotatably mounted on movable block 11 in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, two spaced parallel bars 92 and 93 may be afiixed to the lower side of the chute 13 in spaced relationship thereto. Slidably mounted between said bars 92 and 93 and the chute is a cross bar 94 which is rigidly secured to block 11 by a rod 95, thus permitting movement of the chute 13 with relation to the block I! while remaining affixed to said block TI and supported thereby. Thus, in the abovedescribed apparatus, movement of the block 11 along the power screw 18 will result in a movement of the chute 13 in a horizontal plane while movement of the block 11 in a direction parallel to the power screws 84 and 85 will result in a movement of chute 13 in a vertical plane.

Still another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, may comprise a guide chute I8! secured by means of a hinge member I82 to a tubular pivot member I83, which is rotatably mounted in bearings I84 and I85 that are suitably afiixed to the substructure 186. Any suitable electrical, mechanical or hydraulic prime mover means may be employed to rotate the pivot member I83 and its attached The slidable member 63 has a hinge 66' secured thereto which extends through a longitudinal slot 68 in the tubular Movable bearing blocks 1-8 and 88 are internally-- chute IOI in a horizontal plane, as for example by a motor I20 through gears I2I and I22. Movement of the chute IOI in a vertical plane is obtained by means of a lever arm comprising links I01 and I08 hinged together at I09. The other end of link I'I is hinged to the lower end of the chute IOI at IIO while the other end of link I08 is hinged at III to a member H2 that is rigidly secured to, and rotatable with, the pivot member I03 as shown. All the abovementioned hinged connections are adapted for movement in a vertical plane only.

Movement of the lever arm links I01 and I08 and the attached chute IOI in a vertical plane is effected by means of a wire line or cable II3 attached to hinge I09 which passes between sheaves I I4 and H5 up through and out the tubular pivot member I03. The wire line II3 passes over a sheave H6 to a winch reel II'I secured to a motor II8 which may be bracketed to said pivot member I03. In operation the chute IOI is displaced outward as the wire line I I3 is wound on the winch reel.

While any of the above-described embodiments of the chute may be used in a substructure of any derrick, it has been found that the embodiment of the chute shown in Figure 1 is preferred where there is sufiicient room in the substructure to install the prime mover means and where the movement of the chute in a vertical plane is relatively small. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is preferred where the clearances in the substructure are critical and the throw of the chute in a vertical plane is nominal while the embodiments of Figures 4 and '7 may be used when the movement of the chute in a vertical plane is relatively great.

I claim as my invention:

1. For use at a derrick installation, a pipe racking device comprising a downwardly sloping trough-like chute element adapted to receive and to guide therealong the lower end of a pipe, a supporting pivot member vertically mounted on the derrick, gear means mounted on said pivot member for rotating said pivot member about a vertical axis, horizontal pivot means connecting the supporting pivot member to the chute element near the upper end thereof, a hinged lever arm secured to the chute element near the lower end thereof, cable means fastened to said lever arm, and winch means for winding and unwinding said cable means, thereby raising and lowering said lever arm to rotate said chute element about said horizontal pivot means.

2. A derrick installation comprising an elevated derrick floor having a bay therein, suspension means for moving tubular members vertically above said floor, and a chute structure positioned within the bay for racking said tubular members and lowering them within the bay, a sloping elongated guide having an unobstructed trough-like upper surface to permit the lower ends of said suspended tubular members to slide therealong, a pivotal connection consisting of vertical and horizontal hinged elements rotatably supporting said guide on the derrick installation, the upper end of said guide being substantially at the level of the derrick floor, and prime mover means connected between the underside of said guide and the derrick installation for rotatably actuating said chute about said pivotal connection in a vertical and a horizontal plane, whereby the tubular members lowered by said suspension means are directed through the derrick floor bay by the engagement of their lower ends with said guide element to a vertical racking position with said lower ends supported at a level below that of the derrick floor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 667,335 Record Feb. 5, 1901 1,401,837 Vogt Dec. 27, 1921 1,641,998 Von Der Horst Sept. 13, 1927 1,678,382 Daw July 24, 1928 1,829,879 Stephens Nov. 3, 1931 2,186,292 Guhlin et a1. Jan. 9, 1940 2,201,813 Doud May 21, 1940 2,558,554 Harvey June 26, 1951 

